Circuit-closer



(No Model.)

W. D. KENNEDY.

CIRCUIT CLOSER.

No. 604,157. Patented May 17,1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn IVILLIS D. KENNEDY, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CiRCUlT-CLQSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 604,157, dated May 17, 1898.

Application filed March 25, 1895. Renewed October 2, 1897. Serial No. 653,856. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIs D. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Easton, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit- Closers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in circuit-closers; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

The aim and purpose of the invention are the provision of an improved circuit-closer which will embody characteristics rendering its action automatic at certain temperatures and capable of manual operation at all times.

The object of the invention is attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the guards removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line a: as, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4- is a bottom plan.

In the drawings, A designates the base, preferably circular, having a recessed under face, in which are located at diametrically opposite points the binding-posts B B, with which the terminals Z9 Z9 connect. These binding-posts have the hollow shanks b passing through the base and in which the pointed contacts or terminals 19 are located, pref erably by threaded engagement to permit of adjustment.

Below the binding-nuts on the posts are the oblong plates 0 0, extending, respectively, in opposite directions. Through the opposite ends of the plates pass the bolts or connecting-screws D, which pass to the front of the base and serve as binding-screws or means for securing the segmental thermoplates E in place. These plates E are substantiallysemicircular in shape and are seated in the recessed outer face of the base, their opposite ends projecting over a channel or countersink and terminating at points slightly beyond the terminals 5 Each plate is arranged in opposite order to its companionthat is, with its free end adjacent to the fixed end of the opposite plate. The plates are of that composite nature whereby one surface will be more quickly affected by heat and in expanding buckle or bend in the well-known manner of composite thermostatic plates. In arranging the same I preferably have one plate constructed to act upon an abnormal temperature and the other to act upon a subnormal temperature. The movements of the plates carry them into contact with the contacts b and thus effect the closing of the circuit and the sounding of the alarm. The current passes through the wire 1), plate D, composite plate E, through the opposite contact 6 and through the wire b.

At the center of the face of the base is the usual push-button F, engaging the springterminal f, which in turn engages the terminal f, each terminal having metallic connection with one of the binding-posts. The cap for the push-button is threaded onto a hub or central projection A, and its edges engage over the inner edge of a circular guard II, which is semicircular in cross-section and perforated, its outer end resting on a ledge a on the front of the base.

In operation when the device is to be used as a fire-alarm the contact-screws b are adjusted to cause the contact at any desired temperature from 50 to 300 by lowering the same, thereby necessitating an increased deflection of the plate, and as soon as the plate strikes the contact the circuit is closed.

By the adjustment of the contacts b it will be seen that the alarm may be set to act at practically any temperature above normal.

When one plate is formed for high temperature action, the opposite plate is reversed or formed in a manner opposite and acts at low temperature in the usual manner and the contact adjusted accordingly.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts can be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

IOO

1. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a hollow base, of oppositely-curved ther1no static plates located respectively in the opposite sides of the base,and forming terminals of an electric circuit, one being formed to act below and the other above the normal temperature,adjustable terminals adjacent to the plates, and a manual closer on the base, substantially as described.

2. In a circuit-closer, the combination with a base, of a thermostatic plate thereon, a cen- 

